The Fetish Fantasy Handcuffs are relatively standard handcuffs, consisting of two adjustable wrist cuffs attached with a chain, and come with two sets of keys. Each cuff has a release valve and keyhole. The release valve, a safety mechanism, is a small latch that is easy to reach on each of the cuffs which opens the cuffs automatically. This is great if you need to get out in a pinch, lose the key, or in the case of any other emergency. If, however, you prefer the intense mind game of not having a quick release, there is a small latch that can be moved to “STOP” to prevent the use of the quick release. This is optional and can be reversed, so if you lose the keys you can still use these handcuffs.

We have used these handcuffs for much more than the standard “Am I under arrest, Officer?” role play. You can handcuff your hands in front of you, over your head, behind you, or to furniture. You can get even more immobility if you buy two sets. However, there are many other ways to get creative with this toy. One of my favorite things to do with these handcuffs is to use them with my Sports Sheets Tethers and Cuffs set. You can create a hog-tied effect by wearing the metal handcuffs behind your back, wearing the neoprene ankle cuffs, and tying the ankle cuffs to the center of the handcuff link with the tethers. You can also be tied into a fetal position with a similar method. Another fun way to use these handcuffs is cuff one hand in front of you and one hand behind of you, with the link going between your thighs. During play, it can add a lot of additional sensation (just be sure to sterilize the handcuffs thoroughly) and can also be used to hold a large toy, vibrator, or dildo in. We have had some interesting play scenarios while trying to keep a toy in this way.

I would not recommend using metal handcuffs on your ankles; it could be very painful, dangerous, and potentially damaging.

Metal, rating a 9 on the Eden Scale, is a very safe material. They are food-grade, latex-free, non-porous, and phthalates free - making them both safe for your body and a breeze to clean. On the flip side, metal can be a bit uncomfortable and/or irritating with prolonged use or intense play, especially for those not used to handcuffs or who are sensitive to pain. The metal can dig into your skin if it is too tight, or if you are being too rough it can leave scratches if not secured correctly. These can even bruise your wrists with intense play. I love the pain and unforgiving harsh metal of handcuffs, but sometimes during play the sensation can get a little scary... and I’m always afraid of seriously hurting myself. To fix this, I took the fuzzy portion off of a pair of old, cheap handcuffs I had lying around and sometimes put them on these to reduce the friction of the metal. If you’re crafty and really motivated, you can probably sew your own little covers. This also makes the handcuffs more comfortable for intense play scenarios. For general purposes, this pair is as comfortable as metal is going to get, though some people may want to opt for a more comfortable, neoprene with velcro cuff. For the inexpensive price, I was surprised to find that these cuffs were very sturdy, and are strong enough to handle even the harshest wear.

I loved how these cuffs were so easily adjustable. I have tiny wrists (5 inches around), so these might be snug on larger wrist sizes (such as my boyfriend). For me, though, this size was perfect. I like how I can adjust them comfortably, or tightly, depending on my desires. They click shut to multiple levels, and are impossible to slip out of (unless you deliberately pull the release valve).

I have a confession: I am really rough on my toys. I like to use them and abuse them until I break them, including handcuffs. In fact, the first pair I ever bought (as a teenager in a gag gift shop), broke the very same night when they snapped right open and one half flew across the room during play. Needless to say, I was ready to put these bad boys to the test with some harsh wear. I was happy to find that they were definitely up to my standards. Although they were inexpensive, they are not flimsy or cheaply constructed. They went through some hard wear during our play and didn’t break, snap, or budge.

I always appreciate a quick release valve. Although this might be a con to some, it really helps me feel safe and secure that I would be able to release myself in case something goes wrong. Even in intense bondage play (pornography, play parties), there is always some kind of quick release mechanism - although it is not always accessible to the wearer. In couple’s play, I think safety is very necessary, in case some emergency happens to the person in control. In some more advanced bondage play scenarios, the sub might be a brat trying to escape out, but for general purposes I always prefer something I can get out of if absolutely necessary.

Unless you’re playing dirty, these handcuffs will generally stay pretty clean, considering that they’re on your wrists and not some dirtier body part. If you use them regularly, I would recommend using toy wipes to clean them. If you use them during a particularly messy session, or around your vaginal area, clean them with warm water and soap - just make sure to thoroughly rinse out all the creases of the lock, chain, and clasps. You can even throw them in the dishwasher, since they won’t break, bend, rust, or otherwise get damaged in the high heat.

I like to keep these in my drawer but don’t like the clanking sound they make. Once again, I used the fuzzy-portion-of-other-cuffs trick that I mentioned above, which effectively muted the noise quite a bit. In the future, I’d love to get a pouch for storage.